Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest concrete questions from New Brunswick homeowners.
Do I need a permit to pour a concrete pad for a backyard shed in Fredericton?
For most backyard shed pads in Fredericton, you won't need a permit as long as the shed itself is under 108 square feet...
Can a concrete patio be poured close to a Fundy Bay cottage without damage from high tides or moisture?
Yes, a concrete patio can be built near a Bay of Fundy cottage, but it requires careful planning for the extreme tidal r...
What building permit is required to install a concrete retaining wall over 1 metre high in Dieppe and who inspects it?
In Dieppe, retaining walls over 1 metre (3.3 feet) in height typically require a building permit from the City of Dieppe...
What's the best way to transition between a concrete patio and a wood deck in Fredericton without creating a trip hazard as both shift seasonally?
The best approach is to create a controlled gap between the concrete and wood with a flexible transition strip or leave...
How much does it cost to replace a set of four concrete front steps on a home in Moncton?
Replacing a set of four concrete front steps in Moncton typically costs $2,500-$5,000 fully installed, depending on the...
Can concrete steps be poured directly against a brick foundation in Saint John, or will differential movement crack the connection over time?
Pouring concrete steps directly against a brick foundation in Saint John will likely cause cracking problems over time d...
Does replacing a concrete foundation under an existing house in Saint John require an engineer's stamp under New Brunswick regulations?
Yes, replacing a concrete foundation under an existing house in Saint John absolutely requires an engineer's stamp under...
How much should I budget to repair a heaved and cracked concrete driveway on a Saint John NB property?
Budget $6,000-$15,000 for driveway replacement if the heaving and cracking is severe, or $2,000-$5,000 for partial repai...
What's a realistic cost per square foot for a 6-inch reinforced concrete driveway in the Moncton area including excavation, gravel base, and a basic broom finish?
For a 6-inch reinforced concrete driveway in the Moncton area, expect to pay $12-$18 per square foot fully installed, in...
How much does it cost to pour a new concrete foundation for a 1,200 square foot house in Fredericton in 2026?
A new full basement foundation for a 1,200 square foot house in Fredericton typically costs $18,000-$35,000 in 2026, dep...
Are there NB provincial requirements for the compressive strength of concrete used in residential foundation walls — is 25 MPa the standard or do some jurisdictions require 30 MPa?
The NB Building Code requires a minimum 20 MPa compressive strength for residential foundation walls, but 25 MPa is the...
How do I build a concrete retaining wall on a steep hillside lot in the Saint John River valley?
Building a concrete retaining wall on a steep Saint John River valley hillside is a complex structural project that requ...
How long should you wait before applying an epoxy coating to a newly poured garage floor slab in New Brunswick's humid summer conditions?
You should wait a minimum of 30 days before applying epoxy coating to a new garage floor slab in New Brunswick, and pote...
When is the best time of year to pour concrete for a patio in Fredericton NB to avoid frost and rain delays?
The best time to pour a concrete patio in Fredericton is late May through early September, with June through August bein...
Is it worth resurfacing a deteriorating concrete driveway in Fredericton, or is full replacement more cost-effective after 25 years?
After 25 years in Fredericton's freeze-thaw cycles, full replacement is almost always more cost-effective than resurfaci...
What footing depth is required under concrete front steps in Fredericton so they don't heave or separate from the house over winter?
Concrete front steps in Fredericton require footings extending to a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 metres) below finished grade...
How much more does stamped concrete cost over plain concrete for a 300 sq ft backyard patio in Fredericton and is the premium worth it for resale value?
For a 300 sq ft patio in Fredericton, expect to pay $3,600-$5,400 for stamped concrete versus $3,000-$5,400 for plain br...
How thick should a concrete basement floor be in New Brunswick if you plan to finish the space and install in-floor radiant heat?
A finished basement with in-floor radiant heat in New Brunswick requires a minimum 4-inch thick concrete slab, but 5-6 i...
How do I level a sloped backyard in Moncton for a concrete patio without major excavation?
For a sloped backyard in Moncton, you can level the area for a concrete patio using a combination of strategic cut-and-f...
What NB building code section covers concrete foundation requirements for residential construction?
The NB Building Code requirements for residential concrete foundations are primarily covered in Part 9 (Housing and Smal...
I'm adding precast concrete steps to a 1960s split-level in Riverview — how do contractors tie the new steps into the existing foundation without causing a trip hazard at the threshold?
Precast concrete steps are typically anchored to the existing foundation using embedded anchor bolts or rebar pins, with...
What's the difference between an ICF foundation and a poured concrete foundation for a new home in Moncton's freeze-thaw climate?
Both ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) and traditional poured concrete foundations use the same structural concrete core, b...
How often should concrete driveways and patios be resealed in New Brunswick's climate to prevent salt and moisture damage?
Concrete driveways and patios in New Brunswick should be resealed every 2-3 years with a quality penetrating sealer to p...
Do you need a building permit in Fredericton to replace an existing concrete driveway with a larger one that expands into the front yard?
Yes, you will likely need a building permit in Fredericton if you're expanding your driveway into the front yard, even t...
What concrete jobs around a NB home are safe for a capable DIYer versus which ones require a licensed contractor?
Most concrete work around a New Brunswick home requires professional expertise due to our harsh freeze-thaw climate, but...
What concrete mix strength PSI is required for a structural barn floor slab in a working Carleton County NB farm?
A structural barn floor slab in Carleton County requires a minimum 4,000 PSI (28 MPa) concrete mix, though 4,500-5,000 P...
Is a cobblestone-pattern stamped concrete driveway in Fredericton realistic or will the texture just trap ice and become a safety hazard in winter?
A cobblestone-pattern stamped concrete driveway in Fredericton is realistic but requires careful design considerations t...
Are concrete prices in rural NB significantly higher than in Moncton or Saint John due to delivery distance?
Yes, concrete prices in rural New Brunswick are typically 15-30% higher than in major centres like Moncton and Saint Joh...
Why is my concrete sidewalk heaving near the tree line in Moncton and what is the fix?
Your Moncton sidewalk is heaving because tree roots are expanding beneath the concrete and frost action is amplifying th...
Can a spalled concrete garage floor in Moncton be resurfaced with an overlay or does the whole slab need to come out if the damage goes deeper than the surface?
A spalled garage floor can often be resurfaced with an overlay if the underlying slab is structurally sound, but the dep...
Can you pour concrete in November in southern New Brunswick, and what precautions do contractors take?
Yes, concrete can be poured in November in southern New Brunswick, but it requires significant cold weather precautions...
What is the difference between air-entrained and non-air-entrained concrete, and which is required for exterior flatwork in NB?
Air-entrained concrete is absolutely mandatory for all exterior flatwork in New Brunswick. Non-air-entrained concrete wi...
What's the best concrete finish for a garage floor in Fredericton that won't become slippery when wet from snow and slush tracked in?
For a Fredericton garage floor, a broom finish is the best choice for traction when wet, followed by a penetrating seale...
How much does it cost to grind and resurface a pitted concrete garage floor in Saint John?
Grinding and resurfacing a pitted concrete garage floor in Saint John typically costs $4-$8 per square foot professional...
How wide should concrete steps be for a covered porch on a rural NB home to meet building code?
Concrete steps for a covered porch in rural New Brunswick must be a minimum of 36 inches (900mm) wide according to the N...
Does stamped concrete hold up to NB's freeze-thaw cycles without cracking or losing pattern detail?
Stamped concrete can hold up well to New Brunswick's freeze-thaw cycles, but only when properly specified with air-entra...
What is the cost difference between a standard gray concrete driveway and a colored decorative driveway in NB?
A standard gray concrete driveway in New Brunswick costs $8-$15 per square foot, while colored decorative options range...
There's white powder forming on my new concrete basement floor in Riverview — what is this efflorescence and will it stop on its own or does it need treatment?
The white powder on your new basement floor is efflorescence — mineral salts that migrate to the surface as water evapor...
How long should a new concrete basement floor cure before finishing the basement with framing?
A new concrete basement floor should cure for a minimum of 28 days before beginning framing work, but 60-90 days is idea...
How does New Brunswick's clay-heavy soil in the Saint John River valley affect foundation footing design and concrete thickness?
New Brunswick's clay-heavy soils in the Saint John River valley create unique challenges for foundation design, requirin...
My concrete driveway in Saint John has a long horizontal crack running parallel to the garage — is this a control joint failure or a sign the sub-base has shifted?
A horizontal crack running parallel to your garage is most likely a control joint failure rather than sub-base settlemen...
What is the best concrete finish for a walkway near a waterfront cottage on the Fundy Shore that gets wet frequently?
For a waterfront walkway on the Fundy Shore that gets wet frequently, a broom finish with penetrating sealer is your bes...
How much should I budget for a complete concrete driveway, walkway, and front steps package on a new build in Quispamsis?
For a complete concrete package in Quispamsis, budget $12,000-$22,000 for a typical new build setup — this includes a st...
Can epoxy injection repair a structural crack in a poured concrete foundation wall in New Brunswick, or does the wall need to be replaced?
Epoxy injection can effectively repair many structural cracks in poured concrete foundation walls, but success depends o...
How much does it cost to replace a concrete driveway in Saint John versus repaving with asphalt?
Replacing a concrete driveway in Saint John typically costs $8-15 per square foot ($4,000-8,000 for a standard two-car d...
How do you stop a concrete garage floor from dusting and flaking in New Brunswick if it wasn't cured properly when it was first poured?
A concrete garage floor that's dusting and flaking due to poor initial curing has a weak, chalky surface layer that can...
My gravel driveway in Riverview is rutting badly every spring — is a concrete driveway a realistic upgrade and what thickness do I need for a half-ton pickup?
A concrete driveway is an excellent long-term solution for your Riverview rutting problem, and 5 inches thick with prope...
Is a permit required in Moncton to build a new concrete retaining wall over one metre in height on a residential property?
Yes, a building permit is required in Moncton for any retaining wall over one metre (3.3 feet) in height. The City of Mo...
What's the best concrete finish for a backyard walkway in Fredericton that runs under mature maple trees where leaves and moisture stay for months?
A broom finish with a quality penetrating sealer is your best choice for a tree-covered walkway in Fredericton. The text...
Is fly ash concrete a good option for a basement floor in Moncton — does it cure properly in NB's cooler temperatures and does it perform differently in wet conditions?
Fly ash concrete is an excellent choice for basement floors in Moncton and performs very well in NB's climate conditions...
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